Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Opens to Fans
Exciting news for puppet lovers! Jim Henson’s iconic studio in Queens has opened its doors for the first time, offering fans a unique peek into the creativity behind beloved characters.
Located in Long Island City, Henson’s Creature Shop now offers tours for $150. Visitors can explore the process artisans use to create legendary figures from The Muppets, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and The Dark Crystal before they make their on-screen debuts.
“We share a unique level of expertise here,” said Jason Weber, the shop’s creative director. He emphasized that the tour highlights the talented individuals who contribute to this magic.
Henson, the imaginative mind behind Kermit, Miss Piggy, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster, began the shop in Manhattan during the 1960s. It moved to its current Queens location in 2009.
The Saturday tours last 80 minutes and provide chances for attendees to take photos with iconic props. Imagine getting a picture beside Oscar the Grouch’s trash can or the black throne from The Dark Crystal.
Throughout the tours, multiple performers bring puppets to life, adding an extra touch of excitement.
Ticket holders also get to witness live demos of puppet performances, meet the skilled builders of the shop, and wander through a lively workshop brimming with half-finished creatures, colorful fabrics, doll parts, and various accessories. It’s quite a sight.
“Everything we create is custom,” noted Melissa Clayton, the shop’s director. “It’s all made to order.”
This company also operates a workshop in Los Angeles and is involved in creating TV shows and films, including titles like Five Nights at Freddy’s and Where the Wild Things Are.
Sierra Showing, a senior doll maker whose childhood favorite was Henson’s 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth, expressed how working there fulfills a lifelong dream. “It’s like killing two birds with one stone,” she remarked, eager to learn about the illusions crafted at the shop.
“I know all the secret ingredients. I’m kind of making the secret sauce right now,” she added with a smile.
